The resolution SJR___ designates May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of Alabama. It acknowledges the significant impact of mental health on overall personal health and recognizes that mental illnesses affect nearly every family in the United States. The resolution highlights that half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75 percent manifest by age 24. It emphasizes the potential for recovery with necessary community services and support, while also noting that only half of those with serious mental illnesses seek treatment, often due to stigma and fear of discrimination.
The resolution calls for increased public awareness to change negative attitudes and behaviors towards individuals with mental illnesses. It asserts that personal contact with those who have a mental illness is the most effective way to reduce stigma. The resolution encourages every citizen, governmental agency, business, school, and organization in Alabama to use May 2024 to recommit to enhancing understanding of mental illness, reducing stigma, promoting accessible services, and advocating for mental health wellness and prevention efforts.